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On this day 250 years ago, Col. Henry Knox arrived at Fort Ticonderoga, New York under orders to bring artillery to the Continental Army besieging Boston. The next day he would begin loading 58 artillery pieces (mostly 12-pounder and 18-pounder and a 24-pounder cannon, nicknamed “Old Sow,” that weighed more than 5,000 pounds, plus some…
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On this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress Resolved, That the Inhabitants of the colony of Virginia resist to the utmost the arbitrary government intended to be established by Governor Lord Dunmore. Whereas Lord Dunmore, by his proclamation lately published, has declared his intention to execute martial law, thereby tearing up the…
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On this day 250 years ago near Philadelphia, a national flag of the United States was flown for the first time. The Grand Union Flag was hoisted on the USS Alfred by Senior Lieutenant John Paul Jones while the ship sailed down the Delaware River on its first cruise. John Paul Jones of course went on to greater…
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On this day 250 years ago at Pointe-aux-Trembles (now Neuville) on the St. Lawrence River in Quebec Province of Canada, the Gaspee and Maria unloaded three hundred American soldiers, four cannons and six mortars commanded by General Richard Montgomery. There they met the larger force commanded by Colonel Benedict Arnold. Two hundred Canadian soldiers commanded…
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On this day 250 years ago at Pointe-Aux-Trembles (now Neuville) west of the City of Quebec, Canada, the snow was falling on Col. Benedict Arnold and the tattered, tired and hungry men of his command while they awaited the arrival of General Richard Montgomery’s forces to advance on Quebec. Source: https://www.thenmusa.org/army-trail/founding-the-nation/the-canadian-campaign-the-siege-of-quebec-december-1775-may-1776/montgomery-joins-forces-with-arnold/; Beck at 254-56.
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On this day 250 years ago at Golden Grove Creek in what is now Greenville County, South Carolina Militia led by Captain Thomas Sumter captured about 95 Tory fighters who had been part of the force that had attacked the Patriot fort at Ninety-Six earlier in the month. Sumter would rise to the rank of…
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On this day 250 years ago off Cape Ann, Massachusetts, the 74-ton, 6-gun schooner commissioned by General Washington as the Lee captured the 250-ton British cargo ship Nancy. The Lee was commanded by Captain John Manley (an immigrant from England) and manned by soldiers from Colonel John Glover’s regiment from Marblehead, Massachusetts. The capture of…
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On this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress adopted “rules for the regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies.” The Congress had already authorized ships to conduct raids to seize gunpowder, but this action effectively established the United States Navy. Also on this day in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress accepted two…
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On this day 250 years ago in Watertown, Massachusetts, the Boston Gazette published a song written by Benjamin Franklin satirizing “The King’s own REGULARS; And their Triumphs over the Irregulars.” The song begins: Since you all will have singing, and won’t be said, nay, I cannot refuse where you so beg and pray; So I’ll sing you…
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On this day 250 years from Chelsea on the American front lines besieging Boston, Lt. Col. Loammi Baldwin reported intelligence to General Washington about a Brigg from England Laden with all sorts of Ordinance Stores who were Informed that She was taken & caried in to Plimouth at which news the Admiral Said if so…
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On This Day In The Revolution 